Pluto's Transit Through Capricorn

Jan. 2008 thru Nov. 2024

By Stephen Winder

Pluto in Astrology

News flash! Pluto is now in Capricorn. What does this mean for you and me?

Pluto in Capricorn mixes the transforming and obsessive qualities of Pluto with the limiting and realistic qualities of Capricorn. What needs to be transformed is how we view the world and the nature of reality. If we obsess about how things are and what we need to do to change, then we are not taking positive action.

We need to be self- empowered and to work within the limitations that are before us to achieve a new reality. This is a reality where we don't annihilate (Pluto) the world (Capricorn) but rather re-examine our assumptions of how things are. Thus we can re-create and re-build the world so that it is truly enduring and sustaining of life.

At the start of the twentieth century, Pluto was in Gemini, as was Neptune. A few years previously, in 1891, these two outer planets were in conjunction in Gemini. A major theme of the twentieth century was that of communication and movement. Through the development of transportation and communication systems such as: flight routes, improved roads, centralised hubs of communication, the telephone, space satellites, the internet, courier post, motorised travel and flight, television and video; the world has become more interconnected and a greater understanding between peoples has emerged. The flip side is that the world has become smaller. It is harder to keep secrets and to have our own personal space. Nowadays, conflicts between people across borders can occur more rapidly (compared to before the twentieth century).

At the beginning of the twenty first century, Pluto was in Sagittarius in conjunction with Chiron. The theme of the twenty first century is that of the bigger picture. Chiron being conjoined to Pluto points to the part of our psyche that is deeply wounded. It is the truth (Sagittarius) that hurts us. The truth of our existence, of what we are and what we do. We expand and expand following the same routines and formulas day after day, oblivious to anything but the imperative to keep going as we are. Yet, the small voice, which was hardly heard in previous times, has somehow become less of a background whisper and more of a roar.

Our failings as individuals and as a collective are now loudly broadcast for all to hear. If we don't change soon we may be doomed to face some horrendous consequences, and what's more, it is already happening. And so on. Even if we did want to change, how can we change? What should we change? Can we change? What can I, but one individual, do to make a difference in the face of such a huge problem as our possible mass extinction? Especially as the collective appears not to care and seems hell bent on going on the same way as before?

Perhaps one person can't change the world as a whole but surely one person can change their own world, and this personal change will have some effect on others that the individual comes into contact with. First there was one. Then there were two. Then there were four. And so on.

As Pluto moves through Capricorn from 2008 - 2023 it starts to slow down in its speed. After a relatively quick dash through the signs Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius, Pluto starts to become more concentrated and enduring in its zodiacal influence. Pluto was in Cancer for 26 years, in Leo for 18 years, in Virgo for 14 years and in Libra for 11 years. Pluto was in Scorpio for 10 years, in Sagittarius for 12 years and will be in Capricorn for 15 years.

It is thought that created the world as it is, and it is through thought that the world as it is can be transformed. By acknowledging our connection to the earth, our common humanity, other life forms and the universe as a whole, we can open ourselves to a truly universal change of consciousness and being.

The ingress of Pluto into Capricorn represents the end of the Libra - Capricorn cycle and the beginning of the Capricorn - Aries cycle. As Pluto moves through Capricorn, issues that will begin to surface and gain prominence include: how we treat our collective home, our sense of origins and where we belong in the scheme of things, and what our role as a species is. Does each and everyone of us belong just to a few particular places on the earth, divided into tribes and nations, or do we belong to the earth as a whole as one collective family?

On a more cosmic scale, is the earth our only home, or do we belong to a greater home, the galaxy and universe that surround us? Are we the dominant species, to do what we want to the world? Or are we just one of many species? Or should we be a guardian species, protecting and nourishing other life forms?

Do we control and restrict the movements and rights of others because of some authoritarian mandate? Or do we allow for the maturing of our species, to recognise ourselves, each and every one of us as true global and international citizens and travelers?

Fundamental questions of life and existence and the nature of being will arise and need to be addressed as Pluto moves through Capricorn.